Dynamized interspinal implant

ABSTRACT

An interspinous process implant for insertion between adjacent spinous processes, the implant having a flexible body having i) an upper posterior portion having an upper surface adapted to bear upon an upper spinous process, ii) a lower posterior portion having a lower surface adapted to bear upon a lower spinous process, and iii) an arcuate, flexible anterior wall connecting the upper and lower portions, wherein the anterior wall has a narrowed portion.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/845,687, filed Sep. 4, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/134,090, filed Dec. 19, 2013, which is a divisional of and claims priority from co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/793,967, filed Mar. 6, 2004, entitled “Dynamized Interspinal Implant”, Serhan et al., the entirety of all applications of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The leading cause of lower back pain arises from rupture or degeneration of lumbar intervertebral discs. Pain in the lower extremities is caused by the compression of spinal nerve roots by a bulging disc, while lower back pain is caused by collapse of the disc and by the adverse effects of articulation weight through a damaged, unstable vertebral joint.

In some cases, when a patient having a collapsed disc moves in extension (e.g., leans backward), the posterior portion of the annulus fibrosis or folding of the ligamentum flavum may further compress and extend into the spinal canal. This condition, called “spinal stenosis”, narrows the spinal canal and causes impingement of tissue upon the spinal cord, thereby producing pain.

There have been numerous attempts to provide relief for these afflictions by providing a spacer that inserts between adjacent spinous processes present in the posterior portion of the spinal column. This spacer essentially lifts the upper spinous process off of the lower spinous process, thereby relieving stenosis. In general, these interspinous implants are adapted to allow flexion movement in the patient, but resist or limit extension.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,630 (“Zuchermann”) discloses a spinal distraction implant that alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis by expanding the volume in the spinal canal or neural foramen. Zuchermann discloses a plurality of implants having a body portion and lateral wings. The body portion is adapted to scat between the adjacent spinous processes, while the wings are adapted to prevent lateral movement of the body portion, thereby holding it in place between the adjacent spinous processes.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,599 (“Samani”) attempts to relieve spinal stenosis by essentially inserting a flexible horseshoe-shaped device between the adjacent spinous processes. Although the Samani device desirably provides a self-limiting flexibility, it nonetheless suffers from some inadequacies. For example, the Samani device does not provide for natural physiologic rotational movement, nor for post-operative adjustment. In addition, the Samani device discloses the insertion of a bearing cushion, and the adhesive bonding of the bearing cushion to the horseshoe element. However, it is believed that mere adhesive bonding of these elements would cause the cushion to be prone to migration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventors have developed a number of flexible interspinous devices having a number of desirable features providing improved performance over conventional solutions.

In a first embodiment, the device has a flexible anterior wall having a narrowed portion. The narrowed portion allows the device to twist in response to spinal rotation, thereby more closely mimicking natural physiologic movement.

Therefore, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an interspinous implant for insertion between adjacent spinous processes, the implant comprising:

-   a) a flexible body comprising:     -   i) an upper posterior portion having an upper surface adapted to         bear upon an upper spinous process,     -   ii) a lower posterior portion having a lower surface adapted to         bear upon a lower spinous process, and     -   iii) an arcuate, flexible anterior wall connecting the upper and         lower portions,         wherein the anterior wall has a narrowed portion.

In a second embodiment, the device has a cushion portion interdigitated with each of the upper and lower bearing portions. Because the cushion portion is interdigitated with these elements, a tenacious bond is provided and migration concerns are alleviated.

Therefore, in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an interspinous implant for insertion between adjacent spinous processes, the implant comprising:

-   a) a flexible body comprising :     -   i) an upper posterior portion having an upper surface adapted to         bear upon an upper spinous process,     -   ii) a lower posterior portion having a lower surface adapted to         bear upon a lower spinous process,     -   iii) an arcuate, flexible anterior wall connecting the upper and         lower portions, and -   b) a cushion element having an upper surface and a lower surface,     wherein the lower surface of the upper portion of the flexible body     comprises a porous coating thereon, and wherein the upper surface of     the cushion element is interdigitated with the porous coating.

In a third embodiment, the device is adapted to be post-operatively adjustable. The adjustability allows the device to respond to an altered physiologic state, such as an increased collapse of the disc space or decreased patient flexibility, by adjusting the overall stiffness of the implant.

Therefore, in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an interspinous implant for insertion between adjacent spinous processes, the implant comprising:

-   a) a flexible body comprising:     -   i) an upper posterior portion having an upper surface adapted to         bear upon an upper spinous process,     -   ii) a lower posterior portion having a lower surface adapted to         bear upon a lower spinous process,     -   iii) an arcuate, flexible anterior wall connecting the upper and         lower posterior portions, and     -   iv) means for adjusting the stiffness of the implant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1a is a posterior view of the first embodiment of the interspinous implant in the coronal plane

FIG. 1b is a side view of the first embodiment of the interspinous implant in the saggital plane.

FIG. 1c is a posterior view of the first embodiment of the interspinous implant implanted between adjacent vertebrae.

FIG. 2a is a posterior view of the second embodiment of the interspinous implant.

FIG. 2b is a side view of the second embodiment of the interspinous implant in the saggital plane.

FIG. 2c is a side view of an embodiment of the interspinous implant implanted between adjacent vertebrae.

FIG. 3a is a posterior view of the third embodiment of the interspinous implant.

FIG. 3b is a side view of the third embodiment of the interspinous implant in the saggital plane.

FIGS. 4a-4c are perspective, longitudinal and frontal cross-sectional views of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4d is a side view of the fourth embodiment of the interspinous implant implanted between adjacent vertebrae.

FIGS. 5a-b are side views of a fifth embodiment of the interspinous implant having outer and inner flexible shells.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a functional spinal unit of the human anatomy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “interspinous” refers to the volume located between two adjacent spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The terms “anterior” and “posterior” are used as they are normally used in spinal anatomy. Accordingly, the “anterior” portion of the interspinous device is that portion rests relatively close to the spinal cord, while the “posterior” portion of the interspinous device is that portion rests relatively close to the skin on the patient's back. Now referring to FIG. 6, there is provided an anatomic “functional spinal unit” or FSU comprising an upper vertebrae Vu having an upper vertebral body VB_(U) and an upper spinous process SPu, a lower vertebra having a lower vertebral body VB_(L) having a lower spinous process SP_(L). The vertebral bodies lies in the anterior A portion of the FSU, while the spinous processes lie in the posterior portion P of the FSU. Disposed between the vertebral bodies is a disc space DISC. Disposed between the spinous process is an “interspinous region”. Disposed between the spinous process and the vertebral body of each vertebra is a lamina L. The supraspinous ligament SSL lies posterior to the spinous processes. The Posterior longitudinal ligament PLL lies posterior to the vertebral bodies.

Now referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b , there is provided an interspinous implant 1 for insertion between adjacent spinous processes, the implant comprising:

-   a) a flexible body 11:     -   i) an upper posterior portion 21 having an upper surface 23         adapted to bear upon an upper spinous process and a width         W_(UP),     -   ii) a lower posterior portion 31 having a lower surface 33         adapted to bear upon a lower spinous process and a width WL_(P),         and     -   iii) a flexible arcuate anterior wall 41 connecting the upper         and lower portions and having a narrowed portion 43 defining a         minimum width W_(DW),         wherein the minimum width of the anterior wall is less than the         width W_(UP) of the upper portion.

Now referring to FIG. 1c , in use, the implant of FIGS. 1a and 1b is inserted into the interspinous region of an functional spinal unit (FSU), that is, between the adjacent spinous processes. The U-shaped body has a stiffness and geometry adapted to provide the desired spacing between the upper and lower process. In addition, in preferred embodiments, the U-shaped body is adapted to be somewhat flexible, so that it somewhat restricts the extent of extension motion of the FSU.

In preferred embodiments, the flexible body is U-shaped. In other embodiments, the flexible body has a posterior wall (preferably, arcuate) that flexibly connects the posterior portions of the upper and lower bearing surfaces of the flexible body to provide an overall substantially oval shape.

Preferably, the flexible body has a configuration and is made of a material that provides a first stiffness that limits the range of motion of the FSU. In some embodiments, the flexible body stiffness provides at least 50% of the overall initial stiffness of the implant, preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 90%.

Preferably, the flexible body is adapted to provide a stiffness of between 50 N/mm and 1000 N/mm, more preferably between 100 N/mm and 500 N/mm. When the flexible body stiffness is in this range, it maintains the flexion/extension ROM of a normal lumbar FSU to less than 20 degrees, with less than 13 degrees of motion in flexion and less than 7 degrees of motion in extension. Preferably, the typical displacement of the posterior ends of the device under physiologic loading in the saggital plane is in the range of 1-6 mm.

The flexible can be made of a suitable biocompatible material typically used in structural spinal applications, including metals, plastics and ceramics. In some embodiments, the flexible body is made of a material selected from the group consisting of titanium alloy (including memory metals and superelastic alloys), stainless steel, and chrome cobalt. Preferably, the flexible body is provided in a sterile form.

Now referring to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the flexible body has a height H of between 10 mm and 20 mm; a thickness T of between 1 mm and 2 mm; a length L of between 20 mm and 30 mm, and a width W of between 3 and 20 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 10 mm. In these embodiments, the implant can be easily inserted between typical adjacent spinous processes.

In some embodiments, the flexible body has a longitudinal cross section having a horseshoe shape. In others, the longitudinal cross-section describes a circle. In others, it is a pill shape. In others, it is substantially oval. In some embodiments, the upper and lower posterior portions are substantially non-parallel.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1b , the upper and lower posterior portions of the flexible body each have a longitudinal recess 25 defining a bearing surface 23, 33 and opposing recess walls 27. The recess shape is adapted to receive projecting portions of the opposed spinous processes, thereby securing the U-shaped shell between the spinous processes. In some embodiments, the recess walls have teeth 28 extending inwardly therefrom that provide a more grip upon the spinous processes. In some embodiments, at least the bearing surfaces of the recess have teeth 415 (as shown in FIG. 4c ) extending outwardly therefrom that provide a more grip upon the spinous processes.

In some embodiments, the recess 25 defines an upper pair of extensions 45 extending from the bearing surface 33 and collectively defining a bracket. Each extension may comprise a transverse throughhole (not shown) adapted for fixing the implant to the adjacent spinous processes.

In some embodiments, each extension comprises a transverse throughhole adapted for fixing the implant to the adjacent spinous processes. In some embodiments, the implant further comprises a fastening element having a first end extending through the first transverse throughole and a second end extending through the second transverse through-hole.

The flexible body of the present invention preferably has a flexible anterior wall connecting the upper and lower portions of the U-shaped body, thereby providing a spring quality to the U-shaped body for flexibly resisting extreme FSU extension. This flexible anterior wall is preferably shaped to conform with the opposed surfaces of the opposing spinous processes (as shown in FIG. 1c ). This quality also insures the grip of the implant and reduces unwanted stresses upon the flexible body. In some embodiments, the thickness of the distal wall is greater than the thickness of the posterior portions.

Now referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b , there is provided an interspinous implant 51 for insertion between adjacent spinous processes, the implant comprising:

-   a) a flexible U-shaped body 61:     -   i) an upper portion 71 having an upper surface 73 adapted to         bear upon an upper spinous process and a lower surface 75,     -   ii) a lower portion 81 having a lower surface 83 adapted to bear         upon a lower spinous process and an upper surface 85,     -   iii) a flexible distal wall 91 connecting the upper and lower         portions, and -   b) a cushion element 95 having an upper surface 97 and a lower     surface 99,     wherein the lower surface of the upper portion of the flexible body     comprises a porous coating 98 thereon, and wherein the upper surface     of the cushion element is interdigitated with the porous coating.

In use, the cushion element provides a dampening effect upon natural extension. The interdigitated nature of the cushion bond reduces migration concerns.

In some embodiments, the bonding covers substantially the entire extent of the inner surface of the U-shaped body (i.e., the upper surface of the cushion is bonded to the lower surface of the upper posterior portion, the anterior surface of the cushion is bonded to the posterior surface of the flexible anterior wall, and the lower surface of the cushion is bonded to the upper surface of the lower posterior portion).

Now referring to FIG. 2c , in some embodiments, the bonding covers only the posterior portions of the inner surface of the U-shaped body (i.e., the lower surface of the upper posterior portion, and the upper surface of the lower posterior portion, but not the posterior surface of the flexible anterior wall). The partial coverage of this embodiment provides an amount of stress relief to the cushion-U-shaped body interface.

The cushion element of FIGS. 2a-2b is preferably made of an elastomeric material, more preferably a polyolefin rubber or carbon black reinforced polyolefin rubber. The hardness of the elastomeric cushion element is preferably between 56 and 72 shore A durometer. The ultimate tensile strength of the cushion element is preferably greater than 1600 psi. The cushion element preferably has an ultimate elongation greater than 300% using the ASTM D412-87 testing method, and a tear resistance greater than 100 psi using the ASTM D624-86 testing method. Although the cushion element is preferably a polyolefin rubber, it can be made of any elastomeric material that simulates the response of the natural ligaments.

Still referring to FIG. 2a , a porous coating 98 is provided as the inner surface of the U-shaped body. The porous coating provides an opportunity for the cushion element to interdigitate with the porous coating, and so obtain a greater amount of surface contact between the U-shaped body and the cushion, thereby achieving a lower maximum stress. In some embodiments, the coating covers the entire extent of the inner surface of the U-shaped body (i.e., the upper surface of the cushion is bonded to the lower surface of the upper posterior portion, the anterior surface of the cushion is bonded to the posterior surface of the flexible anterior wall, and the lower surface of the cushion is bonded to the upper surface of the lower posterior portion). Preferably, the coating comprises a layer of small spherical particles or beads.

In some embodiments, the coating covers only the posterior portions of the inner surface of the U-shaped body (i.e., the lower surface of the upper posterior portion, and the upper surface of the lower posterior portion, but not the posterior surface of the flexible anterior wall).

In some embodiments, a coating may also be applied to the superior side of the upper portion and the inferior side of the lower portion to promote bony ingrowth and osteointegration. In some embodiments thereof, and the coating may include beads, and may have osteobiologic components such as hydroxyapatite or tricalcium phosphate.

The present inventors have noted that there may be a need to correct the range of motion (ROM) provided by a motion disc after the motion disc has been implanted and there is need to change the load transferred through the facet joints to alleviate pain and facet joint degeneration.

For example, because implantation of spinal prostheses is an inexact procedure, there may be times when implantation provides too much or too little motion. For example, in some implantation procedures, damage to the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) is contemplated. Because the ALL in its physiologic form restricts the flexion/extension range of the natural disc, damage to it may provide the implanted disc with an unacceptably large range of motion (ROM) in flexion and extension. This overly large ROM is problematic because it produces atypical loads upon the facet joints as well as the adjacent intervertebral discs, thereby leading to premature degeneration of those facet joints and intervertebral discs. Accordingly, there may be a need to post-operatively correct the ROM of the implant in order to fine tune the ROM.

In another example, an implanted disc has an acceptable ROM at the time of implantation, but the patient undergoes typical aging so that the patient's normal range of motion decreases over time. In this case, it may be desirable to decrease the implant ROM so that it corresponds with the patient's natural decreased ROM.

Accordingly, there may be a need to post-operatively correct the ROM of the implant in order to adjust the implant ROM to the new needs of the patient.

The implant of the present invention is advantageous because it can be inserted into the spine at a first stiffness, and then adjusted to a second stiffness to meet the needs of the particular patient.

In a first preferred embodiment, the stiffness of the implant is adjusted post-operatively in order to fine tune the implant to the surgical needs of the patient.

In a second preferred embodiment, the stiffness of the implant is adjusted in order to fine tune the implant to the changing post-surgical needs of the patient.

In many embodiments, the stiffness of the implant is increased in order to reduce the ROM of a functional spinal unit (FSU).

In some embodiments, the implant further comprises a compression spring, and the overall stiffness of the implant is changed by adjusting the length of the compression spring. Now referring to FIGS. 3a-3b , in some embodiments, there is provided an interspinous implant 301 for insertion between adjacent spinous processes, the implant comprising:

-   a) a flexible outer shell 311 comprising:     -   i) an upper posterior portion 315 adapted to bear upon an upper         spinous process,     -   ii) a lower posterior portion 321 adapted to bear upon a lower         spinous process,     -   iii) a flexible anterior wall 325 connecting the upper and lower         posterior portions, -   b) a compression spring 341 having an upper portion 343 and a lower     portion 345, the upper portion of the compression screw being     attached to the upper posterior portion of the flexible outer shell,     and -   c) a worm screw 351 having a lower portion 353 connected to the     lower posterior portion and an upper portion 355 contacting the     lower portion of the compression spring.

In this particular embodiment, the upper portion of the worm screw comprises a cup 357 having an annular sidewall 359 extending upward. The lower end portion of the compression spring is not rigidly attached to the cup, but rather sits freely in the annulus and bears against the cup. Containment by the cup allows the upper end of the worm screw to simply bear against the lower end of the spring without requiring rigid connection thereto.

In use, actuation of the worm screw causes inner thread 363 of the worm screw to turn relative to the outer cylinder 361 of the worm screw. The outer cylinder 361 responds by moving axially upward, thereby forcing compression of the compression spring, and increasing the effective resistance of the device to axial compression.

Now referring to FIGS. 4a-4c , in some embodiments, there is provided an interspinous implant 401 for insertion between adjacent spinous processes, the implant having an implant stiffness and comprising:

-   a) a flexible outer shell 411 having a shell stiffness and     comprising:     -   i) an upper surface 415 adapted to bear upon an upper spinous         process,     -   ii) a lower surface 421 adapted to bear upon a lower spinous         process,     -   iii) an arcuate anterior wall 425 connecting the upper and lower         surfaces, and     -   iv) an arcuate posterior wall 431 extending between the upper         and lower surfaces, -   b) compliant side walls 451,453, extending between the upper and     lower surfaces, and -   c) an inner core 441 (such as a hydrogel) contained within the     shell, wherein the inner core has an adjustable stiffness.

When it is desired to decrease the range of motion (“ROM”) of the functional spinal unit (“FSU”), the stiffness of the core material may be increased, thereby increasing the stiffness of the implant and its resistance to an axial load. The resulting increase in the stiffness of the interspinous implant provides a more substantial resistance to extension, thereby desirably decreasing the ROM of the FSU to correspond with the needs of the patient.

Similarly, when it is desired to increase the range of motion (“ROM”) of the functional spinal unit (“FSU”), the stiffness of the core material is decreased, thereby decreasing the stiffness of the implant and its resistance to an axial load. The resulting decrease in the stiffness of the interspinous implant reduces resistance to extension, thereby desirably increasing the ROM of the FSU to correspond with the needs of the patient.

The implant of this embodiment of the present invention also has a flexible posterior wall extending between the upper and lower portions of the U-shaped body. This posterior wall is preferably arcuate and preferably connects the upper surface of the lower portion and the lower surface of the upper portion of the U-shaped body to form a substantially oval body (as shown). In this condition, the posterior wall provides substantial closure to the U-shaped body. Accordingly, adjustment of the stiffness of the core material residing within the outer shell increases or decreases the stiffness of the implant.

The compliance of the sidewalls is selected to correspond with the level of resistance desired by the implant. For example, in some embodiments (as in FIG. 4a-4c ,) the sidewalls are very thin and may be made of a very flexible material, such as a plastic weave. In these embodiments, the high compliance of the sidewalls will allow the core material to bulge laterally in response to an axial load, thereby tempering the resistance provided by the core material to the axial load.

In other embodiments, however, the sidewalls can be made of metal, and even be integral with the outer shell. In these embodiments, the sidewalls will be flexible but more rigid than a plastic membrane. In these embodiments, the relative rigidity of the sidewalls will not allow the core material to bulge significantly laterally, thereby augmenting the resistance provided by the core material to the axial load.

Preferably, the core is a fluid material contained within the cavity of the shell and is made of a material having a quality whose adjustment will produce a change in the stiffness of the implant. When the stiffness of the core is adjusted, the overall stiffness of the implant correspondingly changes. In some embodiments, the core has a first stiffness and contributes between 10 and 20% of the overall initial stiffness of the implant. In such embodiments, the stiffness of the core is increased to a second stiffness that increases the overall initial stiffness of the implant up to at least 40% to provide an adjusted implant stiffness of at least 300 N/mm, and more preferably at least 500 N/mm. When the implant stiffness is in this range, the implant can by itself provide sufficient stiffness to reduce the extension of a normal lumbar FSU to less than 7 degrees, preferably less than 5 degrees.

Preferably, the core material is selected to be sensitive to an external stimulus, which, when applied, stimulates the core material to adjust its stiffness from a first stiffness to a second stiffness. In some embodiments, the stimulus stimulates the core to increase its stiffness. In some embodiments, the stimulus stimulates the core to lower its stiffness.

Preferably, the core material is sensitive to a stimulus selected from the group consisting pH, light, and electric current.

In preferred embodiments, the core material comprises a hydrogel. In preferred embodiments, the hydrogel undergoes expansion when stimulated by a decreased pH. The resulting expansion of the core material increases the stiffness of the core, thereby increasing the stiffness of the implant and providing increased resistance to extension by the FSU. In some embodiments, the hydrogel is selected from ionic polymers disclosed in US Published Patent Application No. 2002/0039620, the specification of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, the hydrogel is selected from ionic polymers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,475,639, the specification of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

When pH is selected as the stimuli, in some embodiments, an acid or a base is introduced into the core material from an ex vivo source. For example, the acid or base can be administered subcutaneously via a hypodermic needle and introduced into the core material through a fluid port 455. The provision of a fluid port provides the surgeon with the flexibility to selected the amount of acid or base needed to suit the needs of the patient.

In other embodiments in which pH is selected as the stimuli, the implant further comprises a container that individually houses and sequesters the acid or base from the core material. For example, the acid or base can be sequestered in a valved, separate compartment within the shell that is in fluid connection with the cavity housing the core material. The valve is opened (for example, by telemetry), the acid or base enters the cavity housing the core material and mixes with the core material. The resulting pH change causes a change in the specific volume of the core material, thereby increasing or decreasing the stiffness of the core material and the overall implant. The advantage of this embodiment is that the stiffness of the implant is changed through a completely non-invasive technique.

In some embodiments (not shown), the device could be made of a shape memory metal having a relatively flexible property during the martensitic phase and a relatively stiff property in the austenitic phase. In one embodiment, this memory metal device could be implanted in its flexible martensitic phase. If the clinician desires to increase the stiffness of the implant, the clinician could raise the temperature of the device (by heating) to a temperature above its austenitic phase, thereby increasing the stiffness of the device and increasing its resistance to an axial compressive load.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the implant further comprises smart features for helping the surgeon monitor and react to the changing conditions of the implanted device.

In some embodiments, a sensing means is also used with the implant of the present invention. This sensing means analyzes physical surroundings. Its purpose is to identify when a significant change has occurred which could warrant adjusting the stiffness of the implant. The sensor can be contained within the implant, or provided as a stand alone entity.

In some embodiments, a reporting means for reporting the findings of the sensors to an ex vivo source is also used with the implant of the present invention. The reporter can be contained within the implant, or provided as a stand alone entity.

In some embodiments, a receiver for receiving ex vivo-generated information is also used with the implant of the present invention. The receiver can be contained within the implant, or provided as a stand alone entity.

In some embodiments, the implant comprises two shells having flexible anterior walls extending in the same direction, wherein the stiffness is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the respective flexible anterior walls. Now referring to FIG. 5a , there is provided an interspinous implant 501 for insertion between adjacent spinous processes, the implant comprising:

-   a) a flexible outer shell 511 comprising:     -   i) an upper posterior portion 515 adapted to bear upon an upper         spinous process and having a lower end 517 having a first set of         teeth 519,     -   ii) a lower posterior portion 521 adapted to bear upon a lower         spinous process and having a upper end 522 having a second set         of teeth 523,     -   iii) a flexible anterior wall 525 connecting the upper and lower         posterior portions of the flexible outer shell, -   b) a flexible inner shell 551 comprising:     -   i) an upper posterior portion 555 having an upper end 556 having         a third set of teeth 557 engaged in the first set of teeth,     -   ii) a lower posterior portion 571 having a lower end 573 having         fourth set of teeth 577 engaged in the second set of teeth,     -   iii) a flexible anterior wall 575 connecting the upper and lower         posterior portions.

In use, the implant of FIG. 5a is implanted into the interspinous void so that the opposing sets of teeth of the inner and outer shells are engaged to the opposed spinous processes, thereby providing a secure implant and defining a distance between the anterior walls D₁ of the inner and outer shells. If the clinician desires to change the stiffness of the implant, then the clinician may alter the distance D between the anterior walls of the inner and outer shells. Reducing the distance D between the anterior walls will cause a decrease in the stiffness of the implant, while increasing the distance D between the anterior walls will cause an increase in the stiffness of the implant.

Now referring to FIG. 5b , when the clinician desires to decrease the stiffness of the implant of FIG. 5a , the clinician can use a pair of foreceps (not shown) to engage the slots 581 provided on the upper and lower posterior portions of the inner shell. Providing a clamping force through the foreceps squeezes together the posterior portions of the inner shell, thereby disengaging the respective pairs of teeth. The clinician can then move the disengaged inner shell anteriorly by a predetermined distance to a second position (shown in shadow), thereby decreasing the distance between the anterior walls to a smaller distance D₂ and lowering the stiffness of the implant.

In other embodiments, the slots of the implant of FIGS. 5a and 5b are replaced within other means for adjusting the distance D between the flexible anterior walls of the inner and outer shells. For example, in some embodiments, a set screw or a worm gear may be provided on the implant to alter the distance D, thereby adjusting the stiffness of the implant.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an interspinous implant for insertion between adjacent spinous processes, the implant comprising:

-   a) a flexible outer shell comprising:     -   i) an upper posterior portion adapted to bear upon an upper         spinous process and having a lower end having a first set of         teeth,     -   ii) a lower posterior portion adapted to bear upon a lower         spinous process and having a upper end having a second set of         teeth,     -   iii) a flexible anterior wall connecting the upper and lower         posterior portions of the flexible outer shell, -   b) a flexible inner shell comprising:     -   i) an upper posterior portion having an upper end having a third         set of teeth engaged in the first set of teeth,     -   ii) a lower posterior portion having a lower end having fourth         set of teeth engaged in the second set of teeth,     -   iii) a flexible anterior wall connecting the upper and lower         posterior portions.

In preferred embodiments, the implant of the present invention is used posteriorly in conjunction with a motion disc inserted within the disc space of the anterior portion of the spinal column. For example, in some embodiments, the implant of the present invention is used in conjunction with a motion disc having a large range of motion (“ROM”). Various motion discs are described by Stefee et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,437; Gill et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,637; Bryan et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,130; Hedman et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,769; Ray in U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,312; Ray et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,093; Buttner-Janz in U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,269; and Serhan et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,094; all which documents are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The flexibility of the flexible body provides resistance to extreme extension, thereby restricting the motion disc to a more narrow and more physiologically desirable range of motion.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a kit for providing therapy to a functional spinal unit comprising an upper vertebrae having an upper spinous process, a lower vertebrae having a lower spinous process, and a disc space therebetween, the kit comprising:

-   a) an interspinous implant for insertion between adjacent spinous     processes, the implant comprising a flexible (preferably, U-shaped)     body comprising:     -   i) an upper posterior portion having an upper surface adapted to         bear upon an upper spinous process,     -   ii) a lower posterior portion having a lower surface adapted to         bear upon a lower spinous process, and     -   iii) a flexible (preferably arcuate) anterior wall connecting         the upper and lower portions, and -   b) an artificial disc adapted for insertion into the disc space. 

We claim:
 1. A method for post-operatively actuating an implant that has been surgically implanted with at least one portion within a functional spinal unit of a patient, the implant including a sensor capable of determining a change in the physical surroundings of the implant and being capable of delivering an electric current, the implant being implanted and configured so as to be able to provide an electrical stimulus to a fluid, comprising: post-operatively analyzing by the sensor of the physical surroundings of the implant, wherein analyzing the physical surroundings of the implant includes analyzing the patient's motion; post-operatively determining by the sensor of a significant change in the physical surroundings of the implant; and post-operatively adjusting a characteristic of the functional spinal unit in response to the determined significant change in the physical surroundings of the implant, wherein adjusting a characteristic of the patient's spinal column includes applying an electrical stimulus to the fluid.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid is ionic, and the electrical stimulus acts on ions in the fluid to adjust a characteristic of the patient's spinal column.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid is in a shell.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid includes fluid within a compartment outside of the functional spinal unit.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant includes a shell having the fluid therein, the implant being in contact with the functional spinal unit, wherein adjusting a characteristic of the functional spinal unit includes applying the electrical stimulus to fluid in the shell in order to adjust a stiffness of the implant.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising reporting data analyzed by the sensor to an ex vivo source.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the reporting is performed by a reporter contained within the implant.
 8. A method for adjusting an implant, the method comprising: post-operatively detecting, by a sensor, a change in physical surroundings of an implant surgically implanted with at least one portion posterior to a patient's spinal cord, the change in the physical surroundings including a change of the patient's spine associated with pain; and outputting, by the sensor, a representation of the change, the representation indicating that a post-operative adjustment to the implant is warranted to alleviate the patient's pain or including information that may be used to determine that a post-operative adjustment is warranted.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting the change in the physical surroundings of the implant includes detecting a spinal extension.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting the change in the physical surroundings of the implant includes detecting a spinal rotation.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting the change includes detecting an occurrence of a change.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting the change includes detecting motion of the patient's spine.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the sensor is contained within the implant.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the outputting is performed by a reporter via a communications link to an ex vivo device.
 15. The method of claim 8, further comprising, by the sensor, post-operatively adjusting a characteristic of the implant responsive to the representation to alleviate the patient's pain.
 16. The method of claim 15, further including receiving a representation of an adjustment indicator via a communications link from an ex vivo device.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein post-operatively adjusting a characteristic of the implant includes applying a stimulus selected from a group including pH, light, and electric current.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein post-operatively detecting includes sensing any one of orientation, attitude, acceleration, velocity, position, or a combination thereof. 